2008 Woodie Awards
SWEENEY'S SIDE: Edwards might exit soon
Democratic presidential race becoming two-way contest
John Sweeney
Issue date: 1/22/08 Section: Voices & Times
During the presidential primaries, the public has been treated to a little bit of everything: fiery debates, close votes, attack ads, tears, boos, challenges and cheers.
By now, it's relatively clear that the Democratic race has become a two-way fight, while the Republican contest remains close.
Barring a miracle, it seems clear that either New York Sen. Hillary Clinton or Illinois Sen. Barack Obama will be the Democratic nominee for president.
Former N.C. Sen. John Edwards, however, likely will be exiting soon. He said he'll campaign until the end, but his lackluster finishes in New Hampshire and Nevada, paired with his sagging poll numbers in native South Carolina, suggest his days in this race are numbered.
But his departing will not be without important lessons to those left in the race.
Take a look at the campaign strategies the three Democratic candidates have used.
Obama preaches a message of hope, his recently published book saying it all in the title, "The Audacity of Hope."
Clinton is making the best of the campaign's emotion, which helped lead to her New Hampshire primary victory, emphasizing her desire to see America go forward, not backward.
Each has found success because they announced what possibilities their own candidacy has to offer, rather than relying on guilt to get their messages heard.
Edwards and his "Two Americas" platform seems to promote division rather than unity, and it offers guilt in place of inspiration. Compared to the other campaigns, whose messages attempt to generate enthusiasm and optimism, Edwards' rhetoric fails to excite voters.
After Edwards placed a distant third in the New Hampshire primary, some media pundits thought he would announce his withdrawal from the campaign. Instead, he pressed on, declaring "…two races down. Forty-eight states left to go..." after congratulating Obama and Clinton on their campaigns.
Edwards went on to tell a heart-wrenching story of Nataline Sarkisyan, a 17 year old who died because, according to Edwards, her parents' insurance company refused to pay for a liver transplant the teen needed.
By now, it's relatively clear that the Democratic race has become a two-way fight, while the Republican contest remains close.
Barring a miracle, it seems clear that either New York Sen. Hillary Clinton or Illinois Sen. Barack Obama will be the Democratic nominee for president.
Former N.C. Sen. John Edwards, however, likely will be exiting soon. He said he'll campaign until the end, but his lackluster finishes in New Hampshire and Nevada, paired with his sagging poll numbers in native South Carolina, suggest his days in this race are numbered.
But his departing will not be without important lessons to those left in the race.
Take a look at the campaign strategies the three Democratic candidates have used.
Obama preaches a message of hope, his recently published book saying it all in the title, "The Audacity of Hope."
Clinton is making the best of the campaign's emotion, which helped lead to her New Hampshire primary victory, emphasizing her desire to see America go forward, not backward.
Each has found success because they announced what possibilities their own candidacy has to offer, rather than relying on guilt to get their messages heard.
Edwards and his "Two Americas" platform seems to promote division rather than unity, and it offers guilt in place of inspiration. Compared to the other campaigns, whose messages attempt to generate enthusiasm and optimism, Edwards' rhetoric fails to excite voters.
After Edwards placed a distant third in the New Hampshire primary, some media pundits thought he would announce his withdrawal from the campaign. Instead, he pressed on, declaring "…two races down. Forty-eight states left to go..." after congratulating Obama and Clinton on their campaigns.
Edwards went on to tell a heart-wrenching story of Nataline Sarkisyan, a 17 year old who died because, according to Edwards, her parents' insurance company refused to pay for a liver transplant the teen needed.
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